9 July is the most suitable day as the Australia Day
26 January has been celebrated as the Australia Day since 1935. Many Australians, especially the Indigenous Australians, are unhappy about the current date and want it changed. After some extensive search, I come to conclusion that 9 July is the most suitable day.
The following article was written on 25/1/2017
In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast, which he named New South Wales and claimed for Great Britain.
On 13 May 1787 a fleet of 11 ships which came to be known as the First Fleet, was sent by the British Admiralty from England to Australia under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, to establish a new penal colony in New South Wales.
The raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, on 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.
British settlements led to the foundation of Tasmania which became a separate colony in 1825. The British Government formally claimed the western part of Western Australia in 1828. Separate colonies were carved from parts of New South Wales: South Australia in 1836, Victoria in 1851, and Queensland in 1859. Between 1855 and 1890, the six colonies individually gained responsible government, managing most of their own affairs while remaining part of the British Empire.
The Australian Constitution Bill was drafted at a series of constitutional conventions held in the 1890s. Almost a decade of planning, consultation and voting in referendums, the final draft of the Australian Constitution was taken to British Parliament in 1900 by a delegation led by Edmund Barton.
ommonwealth of Australia,
Queen Victoria approved the bill on 9 July 1900 by signing the Royal Commission of Assent. The bill providing for the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia became law, enacting the Australian Constitution and the founding of the Commonwealth.
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated. Before then Australia did not exist as a nation and was a collection of six British colonies under the law-making power of the British Parliament.
It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories had adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, 26 January. However, Indigenous Australians regard Australia Day as a symbol of the adverse impacts of British settlement on Australia's Indigenous peoples. Historically speaking, 26 January was the proclamation day of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia only.
Several dates have been proposed to move Australia Day to an alternative date.
As early as 1957, 1 January was suggested as a possible alternative day, to commemorate the Federation of Australia, but was inappropriate as it coincided with New Year's Day.
Of all other dates being considered, 9 July seems to be the most appropriate because Queen Victoria gave her assent to the Constitution of Australia, thus forming the Commonwealth of Australia.
9 July 1900, Australia, the nation, was born!
Reference Sources
Wikipedia
Parliamentary Education Office
National Archives Australia
The following article was written on 25/1/2017
In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast, which he named New South Wales and claimed for Great Britain.
On 13 May 1787 a fleet of 11 ships which came to be known as the First Fleet, was sent by the British Admiralty from England to Australia under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, to establish a new penal colony in New South Wales.
The raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, on 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.
British settlements led to the foundation of Tasmania which became a separate colony in 1825. The British Government formally claimed the western part of Western Australia in 1828. Separate colonies were carved from parts of New South Wales: South Australia in 1836, Victoria in 1851, and Queensland in 1859. Between 1855 and 1890, the six colonies individually gained responsible government, managing most of their own affairs while remaining part of the British Empire.
The Australian Constitution Bill was drafted at a series of constitutional conventions held in the 1890s. Almost a decade of planning, consultation and voting in referendums, the final draft of the Australian Constitution was taken to British Parliament in 1900 by a delegation led by Edmund Barton.
ommonwealth of Australia,
Queen Victoria approved the bill on 9 July 1900 by signing the Royal Commission of Assent. The bill providing for the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia became law, enacting the Australian Constitution and the founding of the Commonwealth.
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated. Before then Australia did not exist as a nation and was a collection of six British colonies under the law-making power of the British Parliament.
It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories had adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, 26 January. However, Indigenous Australians regard Australia Day as a symbol of the adverse impacts of British settlement on Australia's Indigenous peoples. Historically speaking, 26 January was the proclamation day of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia only.
Several dates have been proposed to move Australia Day to an alternative date.
As early as 1957, 1 January was suggested as a possible alternative day, to commemorate the Federation of Australia, but was inappropriate as it coincided with New Year's Day.
Of all other dates being considered, 9 July seems to be the most appropriate because Queen Victoria gave her assent to the Constitution of Australia, thus forming the Commonwealth of Australia.
9 July 1900, Australia, the nation, was born!
Reference Sources
Wikipedia
Parliamentary Education Office
National Archives Australia
